Hotel Hellsten

Breakfast was simple, clean and varied, without the clutter or crowds I associate with big hotel chains. The location is great in a city that's easy to get around, and I was still surprised by how little traffic Stockholm has. The room was quite unlike what I'm used to. The wooden floors creaked, and the old bathroom door had natural knots and holes. The twin spring mattress was uncomfortable and squeaked whenever I moved. The modern shower was level with the floor, but water seeped under the door and nearly spilled into the room. Biggest issue for me was no air conditioning. We Americans are spoiled with it, so I had to go out and buy a fan to sleep. It was a unique stay, but next time, as an American visiting for work, I may look for something more Americanized.

The staff were great, but I wasn't impressed with the breakfast, and the room had cheap furniture. In my opinion, this doesn't feel like a four star hotel. I've found better places in Vienna and other European cities.

We really appreciated the Swedish fika area, and the breakfast was excellent. One evening we had dinner in the hotel bar, and it was satisfying. The staff were kind from the start and available whenever we needed something. Mustafa also helped explain how parking nearby works.

The hotel's location is about perfect for me. It's on a quiet street, but Rådmansgatan is only a minute away on foot, so the city center and Gamla Stan are quick to reach. There are plenty of bars and coffee shops nearby, and the receptionist was a really nice guy. The breakfast room looked nice and had a calm, comfortable feel, but the food was a huge letdown. It was tasteless, and most of it was cold or dried out. The scrambled eggs were a disgrace. There were some vegan choices, butter, cream cheese, «ham» and cheese, which is a fairly okay selection compared with many hotel breakfasts. The hotel bar is cute and cozy, with live music twice a week. There's also a large shared space where you can chat over tea or coffee, relax, or read a book.